Contemporary Relevance of African Indigenous Approaches to Conflict, Violence, Reconciliation and Peace

Abstract

Conflict and violence are human realities; they have stalked individuals and societies on earth ever since the emergence of the human race. In spite of that, however, humanity has managed to perduce because it has also simultaneously learnt through the course of time to control conflict and violence through various methods of reconciliation, enabling the creation attitudes and structures amenable to peaceful coexistence. Some of these methods have indeed proved more successful and durable than others in their intended goal, but each has had its contribution toward a rational common existence of humanity. The point of this article is that  particularly in today’s globalized world saturated with instruments of mass destruction – it is worthwhile, or perhaps even necessary for human survival, for people to learn from one another concerning these approaches to reconciliation and peace. What might African indigenous methods towards controlling conflict and violence, unfortunately for a long time sidelined by some, contribute to this wholesome goal? This is the question.